A
LETTER
DECLARATORY
OF
THE
COMMON
Doctrine
of
the
Fathers
of
the
Society
of
Iesus
,
conforme
to
the
Decrees
of
the
Councell
of
Constance
:
Written
to
the
Queene
,
Mother
of
the
King
,
Regent
in
France
.
By
Father
Peter
Coton
of
the
same
Society
,
his
Maiesties
ordinary
Preacher
at
Paris
.
1610.
MADAME
,
GOD
ordained
in
the
old
Testament
that
the
kidd
should
not
be
boiled
in
the
milke
of
his
damme
,
to
signify
,
as
Philo
the
Iew
doth
expound
it
,
that
one
which
is
already
afflicted
,
is
no
more
to
be
oppressed
with
new
affliction
.
According
to
the
which
rule
,
deriued
from
nature
it selfe
,
those
of
our
Society
did
hope
,
that
with
this
dolefull
accident
,
the
terrour
wherof
hath
shaken
the
two
poles
of
the
Christian
world
,
they
might
haue
had
at
least
their
breath
free
to
sigh
,
after
their
incomparable
losse
:
A
losse
,
which
is
as
particuler
to
them
,
as
generall
and
common
to
all
.
But
it
hath
happened
to
them
as
to
men
which
find
themselues
vnder
the
ruine
of
a
house
,
where
one
stone
doth
not
expect
the
other
to
couer
and
ouerwhelme
them
,
vpon
whome
it
falleth
.
We
were
both
in
mind
&
body
occupied
about
the
transporting
of
that
precious
gage
,
and
remarkable
pledge
,
which
it
hath
pleased
your
Maiestie
by
the
hands
of
the
Prince
of
Conty
,
to
giue
consigned
vnto
vs
,
and
to
the
which
the
Chiefe
Lords
of
France
rendred
the
last
honours
:
when
some
no
welwillers
of
the
Catholike
Religion
,
and
of
them
of
our
profession
,
to
purchase
vs
in
famy
,
and
to
make
their
gaine
of
our
absence
,
spread
abroad
certaine
rumors
,
so
farre
from
all
likelihood
and
probability
,
that
a
man
would
neuer
haue
thought
,
that
such
ca-Iumnies
could
euer
,
euen
in
any
mad
mood
,
enter
into
the
thought
of
a
resonable
soule
.
All
this
began
by
the
occasion
of
a
naughty
booke
,
the
doctrine
wherof
hath
And
after
that
,
I
will
shew
with
the
Euery
Tyrant
may
,
and
ought
lawfully
to
be
killed
,
was
long
since
condemned
in
the
fiftenth
session
of
the
Councell
of
Constance
.
True
it
is
,
that
Iohn
Wickliffe
an
Englishman
whome
the
Protestantes
doe
so
much
esteeme
,
and
haue
put
forth
his
prayses
in
the
fore-front
of
their
Histories
,
taught
,
That
no
temporal
,
nor
Ecclesiasticall
Prince
retayneth
any
longer
his
power
and
authority
,
after
he
is
fallen
into
any
mortall
sin
:
the
which
error
of
his
,
the
sayd
Councell
condemned
in
the
eight
session
.
Gregorie
of
Valentia
,
a
man
of
eminent
learning
,
as
is
manifest
by
the
publique
testimony
of
Italy
,
Spayne
,
and
Germanie
,
writing
vpon
the
sixtie
foure
Question
of
the
second
Part
of
S.
Thomas
,
and
conforming
himselfe
therin
to
the
doctrine
of
other
Schoole-Deuines
,
determineth
,
in
no
wise
to
be
lawfull
to
attempt
against
the
life
of
the
Prince
,
although
he
abuse
his
authority
.
Alsonsus
Salmeron
in
the
thirteenth
Tome
of
his
workes
,
expounding
the
thirteenth
Chapter
of
the
Epistle
to
the
Romans
,
affirmeth
the
same
,
citing
the
Councell
of
Constance
,
and
referreth
the
fact
of
Aöd
,
against
Eglon
King
of
the
Moabites
,
to
the
expresse
&
manifest
commandement
of
God
,
whereof
of
no
man
ought
to
be
iudge
in
his
owne
cause
.
Martin
del-Rio
,
a
famous
man
likewise
in
all
kind
of
learning
,
in
his
Commentaries
vpon
Hercules
Furens
of
Seneca
,
the
920.
number
,
sayth
;
That
,
that
saying
of
the
Poet
is
dangerous
:
and
there
alleageth
to
the
contrary
,
the
decree
of
the
Councell
of
Constance
,
which
decree
vpon
this
subject
cannot
to
often
be
inculcated
,
repeated
and
declared
to
the
People
.
Sebastian
Heissius
in
his
Apologeticall
declaration
of
the
Aphorismes
attributed
to
the
doctrine
of
Iesuites
,
sheweth
by
Mariana's
owne
wordes
,
that
he
hath
spoken
out
of
his
owne
opinion
.
And
he
himselfe
perceauing
that
he
did
exceed
the
Iimits
of
the
common
doctrine
,
acknowledged
his
doctrine
to
be
subiect
to
errour
,
and
submitted
himselfe
to
the
censure
of
whome
soeuer
.
And
by
and
by
after
he
setteth
down
his
owne
,
and
the
common
opinions
of
all
Deuines
of
our
Society
,
the
which
he
opposeth
against
the
opinion
of
the
sayd
Mariana
.
Martin
Becanus
in
the
answere
to
the
ninth
Aphorisme
,
remitteth
the
Reader
to
the
Councell
of
Constance
,
shewing
that
the
lawfull
Princelooseth
not
his
superiority
,
although
he
become
a
Tyrant
,
Iames
Gretser
Reader
of
Deuinity
at
Ingolstad
,
in
his
Booke
intituled
Vespertilio
Haretico-politic
ꝰ
,
answering
to
the
obiections
which
were
made
him
out
of
the
opinion
of
Mariana
,
saith
with
Heissius
,
That
the
common
opinion
is
to
be
followed
,
leauing
that
of
Mariana
,
which
he
himselfe
submitteth
to
other
men
.
Leonard
Lessius
Reader
of
Deuinity
at
Louaine
,
in
the
ninth
Chapter
&
fourth
doubt
of
his
second
booke
de
Iustitia
&
Iure
,
affirmeth
likewise
,
according
to
the
common
sentence
,
That
it
is
not
lawfull
to
enterprize
against
the
person
of
the
Prince
,
although
he
should
abuse
his
authority
,
grounding
his
saying
vpon
that
aduertisement
of
the
Prince
of
the
Apostles
:
Seruants
be
subiect
to
your
maisters
,
and
not
only
to
them
which
be
good
and
modest
,
but
also
to
the
froward
and
ill
conditioned
.
And
after
that
he
alledgeth
the
decree
of
the
Councell
before
mentioned
.
Nicolas
Serarius
writing
vpon
the
thirteenth
chapter
of
the
booke
of
Iudges
,
in
his
first
question
,
doth
shew
that
the
fact
of
Aod
cannot
,
nor
ought
to
serue
the
detestable
Assassines
,
parricides
,
and
murtherers
of
their
kings
,
for
their
defence
or
example
.
Iohn
Azor
in
the
second
part
of
his
morall
institutions
,
the
eleuenth
booke
,
fifth
c●apter
,
and
tenth
question
,
doth
shew
him self
yet
a
more
rigorous
enemie
of
the
bould
and
sacrilegious
enterprizes
of
them
who
attempt
against
the
〈…〉
e
of
their
Princes
:
where
he
teacheth
,
that
it
is
not
lawful
to
go
about
to
kil
,
no
not
then
who
should
haue
vniultlie
inuaded
any
state
:
grounding
his
doctrine
chifely
vpon
this
,
that
no
man
ought
to
be
condemned
before
he
be
heard
,
&
without
discussion
of
his
cause
,
of
the
which
noe
particuler
man
can
be
a
competent
Iudge
.
Lewis
Richeome
,
his
Apologie
makes
perentory
proofe
of
the
irreconciliable
hatred
which
he
beareth
to
the
doctrine
of
them
,
that
teach
against
the
authoritie
of
kings
:
in
so
much
that
the
L.
Pasquier
himselfe
a
Criticall
Censurer
of
his
works
,
hauing
repeated
his
wordes
in
his
third
booke
,
and
fifth
chapter
,
praiseth
him
,
and
sayth
,
he
cannot
but
loue
him
,
adding
these
words
:
Yet
I
must
needs
honour
thee
seing
thee
so
to
paint
the
Idaea
of
obedience
of
a
subiect
towards
his
King
.
A
praise
which
he
might
haue
giuen
to
many
others
of
the
same
Society
,
who
hauing
examined
this
matter
with
S.
Thomas
,
and
all
the
Schoole
deuines
,
do
all
conclude
conformably
to
the
Sorbones
,
and
to
the
Decree
of
the
Councell
of
Constance
.
These
then
being
the
opinions
and
the
determinations
of
these
doctors
,
graue
,
and
principall
men
of
our
Society
;
what
preiudice
can
the
particuler
opinion
of
one
Mariana
bring
to
the
reputation
of
a
whole
Order
?
the
which
being
,
according
to
the
Institute
,
most
carefull
to
maintaine
all
holy
ordinances
of
the
Church
,
and
bearing
respect
to
the
power
and
authority
of
Kings
,
who
for
the
temporal
,
depend
on
God
only
,
hath
long
time
since
disauowed
the
lightnesse
of
this
rouing
pen
:
and
namely
in
the
Prouincial
Congregation
of
France
,
held
in
the
Citty
of
Paris
the
yeare
1606.
where
Claudius
Aquauiua
General
of
our
Society
,
was
requested
,
that
those
who
had
written
in
preiudice
of
the
Crowne
of
France
,
should
be
repressed
,
and
their
bookes
suppressed
.
Which
the
sayd
Reuerend
Father
did
afterward
very
earnestly
and
exactly
,
being
most
sory
that
by
ouer-sight
,
he
being
absent
and
knowing
nothing
,
nor
hauing
seene
the
workes
,
one
should
vse
therin
his
consent
:
the
words
which
he
vseth
in
his
answere
are
these
.
We
haue
approued
your
Congregations
iudgment
,
and
carefulnes
,
and
haue
byn
very
sory
,
that
no
body
perceaued
the
fault
,
vntill
the
bookes
were
printed
:
the
which
notwithstanding
we
haue
presently
commanded
to
be
corrected
,
&
will
vse
great
care
herafter
,
that
such
things
happen
no
more
.
And
so
it
is
,
that
now
you
should
scarce
haue
found
so
much
as
one
copy
of
Mariana
,
if
it
had
not
beene
for
the
pernicious
liberality
of
the
heyres
of
Wechell
,
who
are
Iohn
Petite
,
and
others
his
like
,
should
hurt
the
Vniuersities
and
Orders
of
which
they
were
Schollers
,
Bachelers
,
Maisters
,
and
Doctors
.
But
,
Madame
,
seeing
that
I
haue
heere
aboue
promised
to
expound
clearly
and
distinctly
,
what
is
our
opinion
touching
the
question
we
haue
proposed
:
now
I
come
to
it
,
which
shal
be
the
second
part
or
this
discourse
.
1.
All
the
Iesuites
generally
and
particulerly
will
confirme
,
euen
with
their
own
bloud
,
that
they
haue
not
in
this
matter
,
or
2.
That
amongst
all
sorts
of
gouernement
and
publicke
administration
the
Monarchie
is
the
best
.
3.
That
such
is
the
spirituall
gouernment
of
the
Church
,
which
is
vnder
the
Vicar
of
Iesus
Christ
successor
of
S.
Peter
:
such
is
the
temporall
gouernment
of
the
State
and
Realme
of
France
,
which
dependeth
of
the
person
of
the
King
our
Soueraigne
Lord
and
Maister
.
4.
That
the
Kinges
are
,
as
Homer
calleth
them
,
the
children
and
fosters
of
God
,
or
rather
his
own
liuely
Images
as
sayd
Menander
:
5.
That
they
are
annointed
,
and
therfore
called
the
Christs
of
our
Lord
,
to
the
end
(
as
sayth
Simeon
the
Archbishop
of
Thessalonica
)
that
euery
one
may
vnderstand
that
they
be
inuiolable
,
and
should
be
respected
as
holy
and
sacred
things
.
6.
That
it
is
a
damnable
heresy
,
as
holy
Irenaeus
noteth
1400.
yeares
agoe
to
thinke
S.
Isidore
of
Damieta
,
in
the
most
ancient
pictures
we
see
a
hand
put
out
of
heauen
,
which
setteth
the
Crowne
vpon
the
head
of
Kings
.
8.
That
obedience
is
due
vnto
them
,
not
for
that
they
are
vertuous
,
wise
,
potent
,
or
indued
with
any
other
laudable
qualitie
,
but
because
they
are
Kings
,
established
by
God
himselfe
.
9.
That
our
Kings
of
France
are
the
eldest
children
of
the
Church
,
enioying
rare
and
singular
priuiledges
,
aboue
the
common
,
of
other
Kinges
of
the
world
.
11.
That
being
such
,
we
ought
to
pray
for
S.
Paul
giueth
to
the
Hebrews
,
and
to
that
ordinance
which
he
hath
published
in
the
Church
,
saying
:
Euery
soule
be
subiect
to
the
Superiour
powers
.
12.
And
therfore
that
not
onely
it
is
not
lawfull
to
lay
hands
vpon
their
Persons
,
but
that
it
is
an
execrable
parricide
,
a
prodigious
trespasse
,
and
a
detestable
sacriledge
.
13.
That
the
decree
of
the
Councell
of
Constance
in
the
15.
Session
ought
to
be
receaued
of
all
and
maintayned
inuiolably
.
14.
That
the
declaration
of
the
Sorbon
of
the
year
1413.
&
that
also
of
the
4.
of
Iune
of
this
present
yeare
is
good
,
wholsome
&
holy
.
15.
That
euery
one
should
stand
vpon
his
guard
,
and
take
heed
of
diuers
bookes
that
are
spread
abroad
,
contrary
to
the
Lawes
,
the
reading
of
the
which
is
not
onely
in
this
matter
very
dangerous
,
but
so
much
the
more
to
be
feared
,
by
how
much
the
Authors
of
them
being
to
our
great
griefe
separated
from
the
Catholike
Church
,
make
no
accompt
neyther
of
the
Councell
of
Constance
,
nor
of
the
Catholike
Censures
and
Doctors
aboue
mentioned
,
yea
rather
(
which
is
to
be
lamented
)
they
are
the
more
obstinate
in
their
opinions
by
opposing
themselues
,
and
thereby
they
thinke
to
get
the
greater
praise
and
admiration
from
others
.
And
for
the
same
cause
also
I
would
haue
abstained
altogeather
from
this
aduertisment
,
had
it
not
beene
to
shew
thereby
,
that
the
body
of
our
Society
cannot
be
infected
by
the
opinion
of
one
only
person
,
the
which
hath
beene
so
authentically
disauowed
by
the
same
:
no
more
then
those
of
the
pretended
reformed
Religion
doe
not
hould
themselues
any
whit
interessed
by
the
erroneous
Doctrine
of
some
of
theirs
,
whome
they
reiect
,
difauow
,
and
condemne
;
being
willing
to
liue
with
vs
vnder
the
Lawes
of
our
Realme
,
and
with
the
obedience
and
voluntary
submission
which
we
do
render
to
the
Scepter
of
our
Kinges
;
perswading
my selfe
,
that
if
they
had
the
pen
in
hand
which
I
haue
,
they
would
speake
with
vs
&
thunder
out
Anathema
,
with
one
common
voice
against
those
infamous
Authors
.
Which
being
maturely
and
wisely
considered
,
as
well
by
the
Court
of
Parliament
,
as
by
the
sacred
Colledge
of
Sorbon
,
they
haue
not
made
any
mention
in
their
arrest
and
decrees
of
the
Doctrine
of
Iesuits
,
knowing
very
well
as
iust
iudges
and
Doctors
,
that
faultes
are
personall
,
and
that
there
would
be
no
innocency
in
the
world
,
if
the
fault
of
one
were
imputed
to
another
:
and
that
this
hath
beene
a
lamentable
and
incommunicable
property
of
the
sinne
which
the
first
man
committed
to
haue
byn
extended
vpon
others
,
because
his
posterity
was
represented
in
his
person
,
knowing
also
on
the
other
side
by
the
frequent
deposition
of
the
malefactor
,
that
Mariana
had
not
in
any
thing
holpen
to
this
execrable
parricide
,
nor
could
help
,
considering
the
malefactour
had
not
sufficient
knowledge
of
the
This
is
it
,
Madame
,
wherein
we
do
most
humbly
beseech
you
to
imploy
your
Soueraigne
authority
,
and
to
ordaine
that
all
those
writings
,
which
are
in
their
beginning
matches
to
kindle
rebellion
and
within
few
howers
become
fire
brands
of
sedition
,
be
taken
away
from
before
the
eyes
of
the
French
:
you
are
our
Soueraigne
Lady
endowed
of
God
with
high
vnderstanding
,
&
with
such
vertue
as
you
haue
but
few
your
equals
,
who
doth
see
clearely
of
what
importance
it
is
,
that
we
liue
all
vnited
,
if
not
in
one
faith
(
such
being
these
iniurious
times
)
at
least
in
fidelity
,
obedience
,
and
mutuall
affection
,
to
the
conseruation
of
peace
.
We
haue
a
King
which
doth
represent
vnto
vs
in
his
yong
age
,
the
wit
&
substance
of
the
great
Henry
his
Father
your
husband
,
and
the
which
with
the
increase
of
yeares
will
haue
(
if
it
please
God
to
continue
vpon
him
his
benigne
influences
)
his
valour
,
his
prudence
,
his
happines
,
&
his
experience
:
it
pertayneth
to
vs
to
cherish
this
treasure
;
to
serue
with
al
our
harts
this
great
&
litle
Maister
;
to
obey
willingly
You
his
most
worthy
Mother
,
our
Regent
,
&
Mistresse
.
And
to
the
end
that
nothing
do
trouble
the
vnion
which
only
after
God
can
conserue
this
potent
Monarchie
,
and
make
it
all
wayes
dreadfull
to
her
enemies
;
how
much
were
it
to
be
desired
,
Madame
,
that
none
could
perceiue
amongst
vs
any
backbytings
,
that
the
impostures
were
banished
,
and
the
impostors
receyued
their
recompence
due
to
their
calumnie
;
that
hatreds
were
rooted
out
,
and
when
any
sinister
report
is
made
,
that
each
one
suspended
his
iudgement
:
and
in
a
word
,
according
to
the
counsaile
of
the
Apostle
,
that
all
maintayne
inuiolably
the
band
of
Charity
.
The
Otacoustes
&
Prosagogides
of
this
time
are
greatly
to
be
feared
:
men
know
also
that
your
Maiestie
would
willingly
haue
such
tongues
receiue
their
recompence
,
of
the
ancient
Quadruplators
:
but
if
they
receiue
it
not
of
men
,
they
must
expect
it
of
the
incuitable
iustice
of
him
,
that
is
the
author
,
protector
,
&
at
length
remunerator
of
Innocency
.
Oh
France
,
the
eye
of
Christendome
,
the
rose
of
Empyres
,
the
pearle
of
the
world
,
(
Madame
)
I
doe
as
willingly
,
as
I
can
with
singuler
affection
.
Your
Maiesties
most
humble
Seruant
,
most
obedient
,
and
most
faithfull
Subiect
,
PETER
COTON
of
the
Society
of
IESVS
.